Moistening device



Oct. 21 1924. 1,512,597

- A. D. HARMON MOISTENING DEVICE Filed Sept. 1, 1923 7 Q FIG I Patented Oct. 21, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALTON D. HABMON, (31F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MOISTENING DEVICE.

Application filed September I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALTON D. HAnMoN, a citizen of the United. States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moistening Devices, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to devices for moistening the combustible charges of internal combustion engines used on motor cars; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed whereby the amount of moisture admitted is automatically proportioned and controlled by the speed of the engine.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through a moistening device constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower end portion of the device.

The main portion of the device is formed of. a T-shaped fitting 4, having three branches provided with similar screwthreaded sockets 5, 6, and 7, the screwthreads of which are all of the same diameter and pitch. An inlet pipe 8 for steam or vapor is provided, and is connected to the upper part of the radiator of the motor car, or to any other suitable source of steam or vapor. When the device is arranged vertically, as shown, the vapor pipe 8 is preferably connected to the middle socket 5, and an ordinary screwthreaded union plug 10 is provided for that purpose. The air inlet valve casing 12 has a screwthreaded plug 1 1 which engages with the lower socket 6, and a ball valve 15 is arranged inside the casing 12 below the valve seat 16. This valve 15 normally rests on a stopper 17 which is screwed into the lower part of the casing, and which has air inlet passages 18.

A valve casing 20 is provided, and has a plug 21 which is screwed into the socket 7 at the top of the fitting 4:. This casing is preferably angle-shaped, as shown, but a straight casing may be used, if desired.

The lower end portion of the casing 20 has a tubular screwthreaded sleeve 22 screwed into it, and this sleeve has a valve seat 24 at its upper end. A shoulder 25 is provided in the casing above the sleeve 22, and 26 is a ball valve which normally rests on the valve seat 24:. A helical spring 27 is arranged between the valve 26 and the i, 1923. Serial No. 680,604.

shoulder 25 to hold the lower valve 26 to its seat. An upper ball valve 30 is provided in the casing 20, and engages with. a valve seat 81 above the shoulder 25. The valve 80 is pressed to its seat by a helical spring 32, arranged between the valve and a tubular sleeve 33 screwed into the outlet end portion of the casing 20. The outlet end of the casing 20 is connected by any suitable pipe 35 with the manifold of the engine so that the moisture can be added to the combustible charge of air and hydrocarbon before it enters the cylinders.

The plugs 10, 1 1, and 21, are all interchangeable in the socketsv 5, 6, and 7, and this enables the device to be arranged vertically or horizontally in various ways, and to be coupled to the engines of a great many makes of motor cars. It is however preferably arranged in the position shown in the drawings. The moisture is drawn from the pipe 8, and is mixed with air which enters past the valve 15 when the engine is running at normal or any predetermined speed. When the engine runs faster the valve 15 is drawn upwardly against the seat 16, and cuts off the air, so that an increased supply of vapor is drawn into the engine when more moisture is needed. The outlet valves are raised from their seats periodically by the suction of the engine pistons and cylinder. Condensed steam vapor is discharged through the valve casing 12 and perforated stopper 1?.

Two delivery valves are provided to make the device positive in action. This is necessary when the device is used on a car having a vacuum feed system. When a vertical and a horizontal delivery valve are provided, it is very unlikely that obstructions would get under each at the same time and prevent both from closing properly.

What I claim is:

1. A moistening device, comprising a T-shaped fitting having three similar branches, a steam or vapor pipe provided with means for connecting it to one of the branches, an air inlet valve casing provided with means for connecting it with another of the branches, said casing having also a valve seat and a normally open valve which closes the valve seat when the pressure inside the casing is reduced. and a delivery valve casing provided with means for connecting it with the remaining branch and having also a valve seat and a valve which is normally closed, all the connecting means being interchangeable in their relation with the said branches.

2. A moistening device, comprising a T-shaped fitting having three similar screwthreaded sockets, a steam or vapor pipe provided with a union plug connecting it to one of the sockets, an air inlet valve casing provided with a plug connecting it to another'of the sockets and having a valve Which is normally open, and a delivery valve casing provided with a plug connecting it with the remaining socket and having valves Which are normally closed, all the three plugs being interchangeable in their connection with the said screwthreaded sockets.

3. A moistening device, comprising a T-shaped fitting having three branches, a

steam or vapor pipe connected to one Of the branches, an air inlet casing connected to another of the branches and provided with a valve which is normally open, and a delivery valve casing connected to the remaining branch, the said delivery valve casing having a lower valve, a removable tubular sleeve provided with a seat for the lower valve, and a spring normally pressing the lower valve on its seat, and said delivery valve casing having also an upper valve, a seat for the upper valve, a removable tubular abutment sleeve, and a sprin arranged between the upper valve am the abutment sleeve and normally pressing the upper valve on its seat.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ALTON D. HA RMON 

